It’s the same sight year in and year out. Every year, as the leaves begin to colour and curl, the mornings crispen and the nights draw in, estate agents from the wind-whipped Highlands to the sun-kissed Cornish coves, east to west and everywhere in between, with the patience and professionalism of a seasoned life coach, sit back and watch a familiar storyline unfold.
The drama? The Five Stages of Autumn Selling, starring homeowners from across the nation, convincing themselves that now is definitely not the time to move…until, somehow, it is.
From the depths of denial (“everyone knows Spring is the time to sell!”) to the final act of acceptance, (“well, the Acer does look at its best in October…”), it’s an emotional journey worthy of its own Netflix special. Here’s how to spot which stage you’re in and how to transition smoothly into the next.
Stage 1. Denial – “We’ll wait until spring.”
Mindset: It begins with the great British pastime of polite procrastination. In spite of a bubbling realisation through the summer months that your current home no longer quite ‘fits’, once autumn arrives, the temptation is to put plans of moving on the backburner. The mornings are darker, the heating’s back on and suddenly it feels easier to say, “Let’s wait until spring when the garden looks better, interest rates are more favourable, and the market will be busier.” There’s a comfort in this sort of self-delay tactic; it feels productive without actually doing anything.
Reality check: The truth is, the best buyers are already out there, scrolling Rightmove in their pyjamas and flicking through estate agents reels while the rain taps at the window. Fewer homes on the market means less competition and more focus on your home in all its autumnal glory. In autumn, it’s not about chasing crowds; it’s about catching commitment. Agent’s message: The market doesn’t stop when the leaves fall; in fact, autumn buyers are often more decisive.
How to tell if you’re in denial:
You find yourself saying “just after Christmas” with growing conviction, despite having said the same thing in July. Your Rightmove browsing history suggests you’re the very kind of buyer you claim won’t be looking until spring. And your estate agent’s polite smile has developed the faintest hint of déjà vu.
Stage 2. Bargaining – “Maybe we’ll just get it ready.”
Mindset:
Sandra from No. 3 put her house up for sale a few weeks ago and is now under offer. Perhaps, you say to yourself, perhaps Autumn COULD be the time to sell? But you’re not committing, more just “tidying up a few bits”. Suddenly, the hallway needs a repaint, the cupboard under the stairs gets organised and talk turns to “just getting a valuation, for research”.
Reality check:
This is progress, preparation disguised as procrastination. But the truth is, there’s no such thing as a ‘perfectly ready’ home. The best time to start is usually before you think you’re ready.
How to tell if you’re in the bargaining stage:
You’ve started a “for sale?” Pinterest board. You’ve saved your agent’s number in your phone but haven’t pressed call. You’ve also spent the last hour frantically refreshing the ‘sold prices in your area’ page, to see what Sandra’s sold for.
Stage 3. Curiosity – “Let’s just see what it’s worth.”
Mindset:
It starts innocently enough. A quick peek at the neighbour’s asking price. A scroll through Rightmove “just to compare”. Before long, there’s a spreadsheet, a postcode filter and the thrilling discovery that your kitchen tiles are apparently back in style. Suddenly, the idea of moving doesn’t feel so far-fetched. In fact, it’s starting to feel a little exciting.
Reality check:
Curiosity is the gateway to action. The moment you start wondering what your home could fetch, you’ve already taken the first step. A professional valuation can turn vague intrigue into real insight, and often, the numbers look better than expected.
How to tell if you’re in the curiosity stage:
You’ve memorised every sale within a two-mile radius. You casually drop the phrase “house prices round here are holding up well” into conversations with friends. And you’ve found yourself comparing photos of other people’s kitchens at 11pm…purely for research, of course.
Stage 4. The Cosy Conflict – “It’s so lovely this time of year though…”
Mindset:
The candles are lit; the house smells faintly of cinnamon and every room looks like a lifestyle advert. Now that you’ve got here, suddenly, the idea of selling feels almost disloyal. After all, who would want to leave a home that glows like this? The evenings draw in, the fire crackles, and you convince yourself buyers surely don’t move in November; they’re too busy drinking hot chocolate and watching Bake Off.
Reality check:
Don’t cave! This is exactly the moment your home is at its most irresistible! Autumn light is flattering, rooms feel invitingly hygge and buyers are craving somewhere that radiates warmth. The truth is, people still fall in love with homes in scarf season, maybe even more so, because they can feel the comfort they’re looking for.
How to tell if you’re in the cosy conflict:
You’ve started lighting the log burner purely “for ambience”. You’re delaying photography because the kids want to leave pumpkins and Halloween cobwebs up until the end of the month. But you still have one eye on a new outdoor kitchen in a home with country views come next spring…
Stage 5. Acceptance – “Right. Let’s do this.”
Mindset:
Something shifts, possibly the guttering during a deluge. Maybe it’s the sense that you’ve already deja’d this vu, or the thought of starting the new year with a clean slate. Suddenly, waiting until spring feels unnecessary, and, as the moving van pulls up at Sandra’s old house, even a little silly. The to-do list is shorter than you thought, the photos can capture the glow beautifully, and the decision you’ve been circling for weeks finally firms up in your mind: it’s time.
Reality check:
Autumn listings stand out. With fewer homes competing for attention and buyers motivated to move before the year ends, it’s one of the smartest times to sell. Homes photographed in autumn light always look warm, inviting and full of life, which is exactly what buyers respond to.
How to tell you’ve reached acceptance:
You’ve stopped saying “maybe next year” and started asking, “when can the photographer come?” The house is tidy, the kettle’s on and your agent’s number isn’t just saved – you’re in a WhatsApp group.
So if you recognise yourself anywhere on this emotional rollercoaster, from denial through to decisive action, take it as a sign that autumn might just be your season after all. The air’s crisp, the light is kind and the buyers who are still looking now are the ones who mean business. Whether you’re still “just seeing what it’s worth” or ready to fetch the rake and call the photographer, one thing’s certain: the best moves often begin long before spring.
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